September 17, 2025
One key change would decrease the age of a youth offender from 24 to 18 within the “DC Crimes Act.” The laws would additionally require that prison sentencing be a minimum of so long as the necessary minimums for adults.
The Home handed laws Tuesday that may change how a youth offender within the nation’s capital can be prosecuted, signaling congressional help behind President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on crime in Washington, D.C.
One key change would decrease the age of a youth offender in Washington from 24 to 18 within the “DC Crimes Act.” The laws would additionally require that prison sentencing be a minimum of so long as the necessary minimums for adults, and make it obligatory for the D.C. legal professional normal to determine a public web site that publishes youth prison statistics.
The invoice handed 240-179, with 20 Democrats siding with their Republican colleagues.
A second invoice, referred to as the D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act, was handed by a narrower margin. Eight Democrats backed the laws, and just one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted towards it. He opposed each payments.
Youth or Authorities? Critics Argue Congress Has Too A lot Management in Washington, D.C.
This newest transfer from congressional Republicans comes as President Trump known as on Nationwide Guard troops and federal regulation enforcement officers to patrol the streets of Washington, D.C. Whereas the Residence Rule Act of 1973 permits residents to elect their very own mayor and metropolis council, the U.S. Congress and the President retain important oversight.
Some Democrats have vocalized that Trump and his aides are abusing their energy by intervening in a metropolis’s capability to manipulate native affairs.
“[Trump] is consistently attacking what Republicans used to name a small authorities and deciding to be the most important authorities that you could find. It’s really shameful,” mentioned Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
In keeping with the Related Press, the Home is anticipated to take up two extra payments associated to prison justice in Washington, D.C. The laws calling for modifications will nonetheless should be handed within the Senate.
The Management Convention on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of greater than 240 nationwide civil and human rights advocacy organizations, opposes all 4 payments Congress plans to vote on concerning prison justice reform in D.C.
“Collectively, these payments characterize one more unnecessary intrusion into D.C. native authorities, and one more assault on the political energy of a majority minority inhabitants,” Maya Wiley, CEO and president, wrote in an advocacy letter to Congressional representatives.
She continues, “Congress could be transferring shortly to broaden D.C.’s assets … by restoring the greater than $1 billion that Congress inexplicably pressured D.C. to slash from its locally-funded funds earlier this yr. As an alternative, it’s merely micromanaging a handful of insurance policies with no significant enter from the individuals who reside right here full-time.”
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